Results 6,761-6,780 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell
- Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (31 Jan 2007)
Michael McDowell: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. I will be in contact with the Deputy when this information is to hand.
- Written Answers — Drugs in Prisons: Drugs in Prisons (31 Jan 2007)
Michael McDowell: The absence of mandatory drug testing made it impossible to accurately estimate the level of drug misuse within our prison system. The Deputy will, of course, be aware of the mandatory drug testing of prisoners initiative which will, for the first time, provide empirical evidence as to the extent of the problem and also provide information on trends in drug misuse. In addition, it will...
- Written Answers — Firearms Offences: Firearms Offences (31 Jan 2007)
Michael McDowell: Section 29 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006 inserts a new section 2B into the Firearms Act, 1925 which provides that I may, in the interests of public safety and security, by order declare specific firearms and ammunition as "restricted firearms" by reference to their category, calibre, working mechanism, muzzle energy and description. Officials of my Department are currently in discussions...
- Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (31 Jan 2007)
Michael McDowell: The figures for headline offences recorded for each Garda Division for the year 2002 are available in the relevant Garda Annual Report, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas library. Following the submission to me in 2004 of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, I decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by...
- Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (31 Jan 2007)
Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 460 to 462, inclusive, together. I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda SÃochána increased to a record 13,000 following the attestation of 299 new members on Thursday, 16 November, 2006. This compares with a total...
- Written Answers — Explosive Substances: Explosive Substances (31 Jan 2007)
Michael McDowell: Under Section 104 of the Explosives Act, 1875 I may by order deem any substance, which appears to be specially dangerous by reason either of its explosive properties or of any process in its manufacture being liable to explosion, to be an explosive within the meaning of the Act. All of the restrictions relating to importation, storage, manufacture sale, etc., which apply to explosives apply...
- Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (31 Jan 2007)
Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 467 and 468 together. I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the person in question made a Family Reunification application in February 2005 by means of two visa applications. The application was forwarded to the Refugee Applications Commissioner for investigation as required under Section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996. This investigation...
- Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (31 Jan 2007)
Michael McDowell: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. I will be in contact with the Deputy when this information is to hand.
- Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (31 Jan 2007)
Michael McDowell: I am aware of the level of activity at Dublin Airport in terms of passenger movement and the impact an additional pier and second terminal will have on existing resources. In this regard I understand that additional resources are being provided and the situation will be kept under constant review.
- Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (31 Jan 2007)
Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the total number of firearms cards issued to members of An Garda SÃochána (all ranks) for the year ending the 31st December 1997, 31st December 2002 and to the 13th November 2006 was as set out hereunder: Year Firearms Cards Issued 31/12/1997 3,294 31/12/2002 3,773 13/11/2006 3,216 For security and operational reasons it is not Garda...
- Written Answers — Legal Aid Service: Legal Aid Service (31 Jan 2007)
Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Legal Aid Board that details relating to the provision of legal services to any of their individual clients come within the scope of the solicitor/client relationship protected by privilege under Section 32 of the Civil Legal Aid Act, 1995. Any applicant or client can of course obtain information directly from the Board should they wish. The Deputy might also...
- Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (31 Jan 2007)
Michael McDowell: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. I will be in contact with the Deputy when this information is to hand.
- Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (31 Jan 2007)
Michael McDowell: I understand from the Immigration Division of my Department that a decision has been reached in relation to this application and the person in question has been informed of same.
- Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (31 Jan 2007)
Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that listed as follows are details of the four largest seizures of heroin in this jurisdiction in the last 12 months:â 1. Seizure of 30 kg of heroin on 24 June 2006 in Co. Meath. One person has been charged in connection with this seizure and they are currently in custody awaiting trial. 2. Seizure of 53 kg of heroin on 24 October 2006 in West Dublin....
- Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (31 Jan 2007)
Michael McDowell: The Criminal Justice Act 2006 contains provisions to deal with public order offences. Section 184 amends the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 to provide for a fixed penalty procedure in relation to the public order offences of disorderly conduct in a public place and intoxication in a public place as an alternative to proceedings being taken in the first instance. I am informed by the...
- Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (31 Jan 2007)
Michael McDowell: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. I will be in contact with the Deputy when this information is to hand.
- Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (31 Jan 2007)
Michael McDowell: I am advised by the Garda authorities that An Garda SÃochána carry out roadside breath tests using electronic alcohol screening devices and alcolysers (blow in the bag devices). The Medical Bureau of Road safety has responsibility for the supply of alcohol screening equipment to An Garda SÃochána and additional electronic screening devices are currently being supplied. Garda management...
- Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (31 Jan 2007)
Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that speed detection devices are allocated to each Garda Division to meet enforcement needs. These are mobile devices and are not permanently fixed in patrol cars. I am also advised that the Garda mobile speed detection capability includes a total of four hundred and eight (408) hand-held speed detection devices and six (6) mobile video systems. A...
- Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (31 Jan 2007)
Michael McDowell: Following the submission to me in 2004 of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, I decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from the Garda SÃochána. The Garda SÃochána Act, 2005 consequently makes provision for this and the CSO has established a...
- Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (31 Jan 2007)
Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda SÃochána increased to a record 13,000 following the attestation of 299 new members on Thursday, 16 November, 2006. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June, 1997 and represents an...